My Experiments in the Kitchen

I am not a great cook. It is only recently I discovered the joy of cooking. Still trying to come in terms with that. I just share simple; may be at times a little complicated; recipes I try. I put them just the way I try them out. Please click on the titles below if you find anything which may interest you. Do leave a feedback.






November 30, 2013
My Microwave MUG Cake :

My confidence with the Microwave is increasing! and aren't I glad...!The other day I decided to bake a Mug cake. A microwave mug cake and guess what; it turned out well! and I had to flaunt that on my FB page. Admit it, dont we all love all those compliments and "likes". But it never occurred to me to click a picture. That's ok. I baked again and this time I served the way my husband wanted.

Here's how I did it 

  •  4 table spoon of flour / maida.
  • 1 half tea spoon of baking powder.
  • 1 tea spoon of castor sugar / or regular sugar
  •  1 tea spoon of cocoa powder.
  •  2 table spoon of refine oil
  •  2 table spoon of milk / One egg can be used too instead of milk.

Get a microwave compatible coffee mug. Put all the dry ingredients in it. Mix everything. Then pour in the wet ingredients. Now mix everything really well with a fork. The consistency must be of any regular cake. Keep aside for 15mins. 

I used the Convection mode in the microwave and baked for 12 minutes. I am yet to experiment with the Micro mode. I will share the result when I gather enough courage to use the Micro mode for the Mug cake.

The cake turned out well. Husband had got an ice cream to "garnish" the mug cake. We did and relished after dinner. 

Picture of the Final product : 









My First Eggless Dates Cake :

Ok I admit, I am no baker at all. Actually I was never into cooking. Yeah WAS. Well that doesn’t mean that now I can qualify to take part in Master Chef India. No no not at all. But now the kitchen doesn’t scare me. I don’t think baking or grilling or simple frying is rocket science. I can now cook more than maggi and omlette. I can now think beyond simple tea and coffee. A big thanks to Parasher, my other half. Actually” better in kitchen half”.
After some failed attempts of baking a cake in the microwave in the last few weeks, here I am again. This time baking an eggless dates cake.

The ingredients:

One small bowl full of Flour
Same bowl full of Refined Oil
Same amount of condensed milk ( I used Milk Maid)
A teaspoon baking powder
A teaspoon vanilla essence

Dates soaked in half a cup milk for 10mins.

Mix all the ingredients in a mixing bowl except for the dates. Blend well so that all the ingredients are mixed with each other. Keep aside the mixture for 10mins.

Now grind the dates to a smooth paste. You can make it coarse too if you like some chunks of date in the cake later. Add this to the mixture and blend well.

Grease your bake tray. Pour the mixture into it and microwave it for 35 – 40 mins at 160 C.

Insert a toothpick or a fork in the middle of the cake if you feel it is done. If it comes out clean it is done.

Going by the most available microwave cake recipes online, I tried baking for 8- 10 mins at 180 or 190 C before. Somehow it never worked for me. The cake never turned out the way it should be.
Then one day I got it partially right with a simple carrot cake. However the cake didn’t last for 2 days and was soiled. Then someone told me what now I consider THE MANTRA for baking. Keep the temperature at medium and bake for a long time. At least 35 – 40 minutes. After all, like life’s many things, a cake also takes time to bake and be perfect.
PS : Here’s a picture of the eggless dates cake. It tasted super.


Simple Amla Pickle

I love pickles  but I myself never had the confidence to try to make pickles. But then of late, since my experiments in the kitchen are getting better ( Sorry Modesty!) I thought of trying my hands in pickle. 

I got 250 gm of Amla ( Indian Gooseberries) which was about 7/8 medium sized amlas. Got them cleaned and then boiled them in the pressure cooker for 3 whistles. Let the water drain out completely and then remove the seeds.
Then I dry roasted :
1 tea spoon of Meethi seeds
1 tea spoon of Cumin Seeds
1 tea spoon of Saunf or Fennel Seeds
1 tea spoon of Kalaunji or Nigella Seeds
The Amla Pickle waiting to be bottled :D

Once all these masala cooled down, I very coarsely ground them. Heat about 3 Table spoons of Mustard Oil, I put little hing in it. Added the masala, Red chilli powder, little turmeric and salt as per your taste.Then add the Amla pieces into the masala oil mixture and mix well. Let it get coll before shifting to an air tight clean glass bottle. Put the bottle in the sun for 2-3 days for the pickle to get better. 

1 comment:

  1. your Amla pickle recepie looks yummy. Tempted to try it :) Thanks for sharing Mayuri!

    ReplyDelete